Gun industry bracing for stricter gun laws

LAS VEGAS  On the evening prior to President Obama’s signing of 23 executive orders to curb gun violence, the shooting industry was warned that the worst is yet to come from our political leaders.

“Make no mistake about it, you are under siege . . . you are under attack,” said former Mississippi Governor and Republican Party head Hayley Barbour, speaking Tuesday night at the SHOT Show's annual State of the Industry Dinner.”

President Obama said he will call for a ban on “military-style assault weapons” and limit the size of clips or magazines to 10 shots. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed even tougher gun laws into effect on Monday, giving that state the distinction of having the toughest gun laws in the nation. New York now has limited clips or magazines to seven bullets, and its background checks and mental stability checks include screening for anyone with a driving while intoxicated violation. The new law states that anyone with a DWI in the last 10 years may not buy a gun because they are “mentally unstable.”

Barbour told members of the gun industry that they and lawful gun owners likely will pay what some feel will be a high price for the recent gun deaths at the hands of psychopaths in Arizona, Colorado and Connecticut. He said the industry will feel the pain from the restrictions by the President and lawmakers who are determined to act quickly to end gun violence.

The National Shooting Sports Foundation started the SHOT Show, or Shooting Hunting Outdoor Trade Show, 35 years ago in an effort to bring the industry together for networking and sales. There are more than 60,000 here in Las Vegas for the annual show.

“There aren't two sides in this issue," NSSF president Steve Sanetti said. “I don't think anyone who knows what we do believes we are against such incomprehensible evil.”

Sanetti said the industry itself started the instant background check system “years before it was a government mandate.”

“Facts must guide our actions, not emotions, despite the fact we also feel in our hearts the cost of unspeakable evil,” Sanetti added. “We all know that the key is personal responsibility. And we are among the most responsible people in America. Violent criminals who violate the law don’t have the right to lawful ownership of arms. They belong in jail.”

Following President Obama’s announcement of his 23 executive orders, the NSSF issued the following statement:

“All Americans share the goal of wanting to make our communities and children safer by reducing violence in our society, like the tragic incident that occurred last month in our community of Newtown, Conn. We are reviewing Vice President Biden's recommendations with an open mind in hopes they will offer real means of achieving our shared goal.

“The central issue involved in violence where a firearm is misused is the unauthorized access to the firearm. We believe it is critical to first focus on the unauthorized access to firearms by irresponsible persons and those not legally qualified to possess them.